Jakarta – Jonie Yap, the CEO of PT SJA Global Cosmindo & PT Nutraceutical Biotech Indonesia, has proven that perseverance and hard work can transform limitations into success. Through his flagship brand, Papaya Soap, Jonie has created a body care product that not only brightens and softens the skin but also offers an affordable price, making it the top choice for middle to lower-class consumers.
Since 1998, Papaya Soap has been a pioneer in the soap industry in Indonesia. With the dedication of Jonie and his family, this product has achieved success as the first local soap to go international. Currently, PT SJA Global Cosmindo offers cross-country OEM opportunities, solidifying its position as a major player in the global market.
A Childhood Full of Struggles
Jonie’s journey began at the age of 7 when his family moved to Jakarta. The family’s extreme poverty forced them to live in a simple rented house with unpaved floors and a bathroom that required drawing water from a shared well with neighbors. Jonie’s father worked in a garment factory, while his mother cooked catering for factory workers. Their life was marked by frequent moves from one rented house to another until Jonie entered middle school.
When his parents migrated to Surabaya to seek a better livelihood, Jonie and his siblings stayed with their grandmother in Jakarta. After a few years, his parents returned with enough money to buy a small house in Jelambar, ending their cycle of moving from one rental to another.
Building a Business from Scratch
Since high school, Jonie had been helping his parents run a gas store, delivering orders by bicycle, and providing private tutoring for elementary school children to earn pocket money. At night, he also took on a job writing lottery tickets.
After graduating from college, Jonie and his siblings ventured into the cosmetics business by opening a shop in Asemka. The public’s interest in foreign products without BPOM certification spurred Jonie’s desire to learn how to make soap bars. Thanks to his mother’s hard work in researching soap-making methods, they successfully developed the formula for transparent soap and Papaya Soap, which began production in 1999 under the name CV Sukses Jaya Abadi.
Achievements and Business Development
The success of Papaya Soap as a quality local product did not come easily. Jonie and his family decided to close the shop in Asemka and focus on developing their home-based business. By establishing PT SJA Global Cosmindo, they began to expand their product line to include not only body care but also skincare. Supported by an experienced R&D team, this business has been running for 25 years, earning consumer trust and remaining a best-selling soap in the market.
Jonie did not stop there; he also founded PT Nutraceutical Biotech Indonesia, which operates in the field of powdered drinks for slimming, collagen, meal replacement, and liquid sachet drinks. This move demonstrates Jonie’s commitment to continuous innovation and meeting consumer needs in body care and personal care.
Hopes for Consumers and Society
Jonie hopes that consumers will be wiser in choosing products, always prioritizing quality and products that stand the test of time. “Allow us to help consumers better in the field of body care and personal care,” Jonie advised the public.
Jonie Yap’s life journey from hardship to global success is a real inspiration that with perseverance, hard work, and innovation, dreams can become reality.
